South Korea Ruling Party Vows Safeguards on Prosecution Bill

In a move aimed at addressing public concerns, the ruling party in South Korea has pledged to strengthen safeguards on its plan to abolish prosecutors’ supplementary investigative authority.

According to a report by Asia Today, Han Byung-do, the acting leader and floor leader of the Democratic Party, made the remarks during a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly. He stated that the Criminal Procedure Act revision bill submitted yesterday would be the final piece of prosecutorial reform and would include the abolition of supplementary investigative authority.

Han emphasized that the party recognized the concerns raised by some regarding the proposed changes and would prepare stronger complementary measures through the Legislation and Judiciary Committee review.

He assured that the party would make every effort to design detailed measures to minimize public inconvenience so the new system can launch stably on October 2. The goal, he stated, was to complete prosecutorial reform for the people, not for powerful institutions, by upholding the principle of separating investigation and prosecution.

The party has also introduced a special counsel bill to determine the truth behind what it called poor election management by the National Election Commission. The scope of the investigation would include why ballot paper supplies were reduced, how reports were omitted, and whether there was internal corruption at the election agency.

Han welcomed the Supreme Court’s ruling on former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s obstruction of arrest case, saying it reaffirmed judicial justice. He stated that the judiciary should move quickly on Yoon’s remaining trials, especially on the charge of leading an insurrection, to impose legal responsibility and prevent the tragedy of insurrection from being repeated.

He added that the ruling was a significant step towards upholding the principle of judicial justice and that the judiciary must speed up Yoon Suk Yeol’s remaining trials to ensure that those who commit crimes are punished.

Key points to note:

• The ruling party has pledged to strengthen safeguards on its plan to abolish prosecutors’ supplementary investigative authority.
• The Criminal Procedure Act revision bill will be the final piece of prosecutorial reform and will include the abolition of supplementary investigative authority.
• The party will prepare stronger complementary measures through the Legislation and Judiciary Committee review.
• The party has introduced a special counsel bill to determine the truth behind poor election management by the National Election Commission.
• The Supreme Court’s ruling on former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s obstruction of arrest case has reaffirmed judicial justice.